Logging barge

ABSTRACT

A logging barge is provided with a tower securely fastened to the barge by guy lines mounted to stanchions. Suitable rigging brings logs from the logging area to the barge. A grapple is slidably mounted on a track running between two bundling racks. A stiff leg is pivotally coupled to the barge and is also slidably coupled so that it may be drawn onto the barge for storage. A pair of waist lines are passed around blocks at the lower end of each side of the barge for anchoring the barge on shore.

I United States Patent 1 [111 3,73%45 Foreman May 22, 1973 [54] LOGGING BARGE Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant ExaminerS. D. Basinger [76] Inventor' fizig g g'fg iz BOX Attorney-Richard W. Seed, Benjamin F. Berry,

Carl U. Dowrey et al. [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 198,170 [57] ABSTRACT A logging barge is provided with a tower securely fastened to the barge by guy lines mounted to fi "114/5 955;;33; stanchions. Suitable rigging brings logs from the [58] Field of Search 98 230 logging area to the barge. A grapple is slrdably mounted on a track running between two bundling racks. A stiff leg is pivotally coupled to the barge and is also slidably coupled so that it may be drawn onto [56] References cued the barge for storage. A pair of waist lines are passed UNITED STATES PATENTS around blocks at the lower end of each side of the barge for anchoring the barge on shorev 3,556,319 1/1971 Holden ..214/12 3,336,894 8/1967 Eisher .114/230 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEM-KYZZIW $734,045

SHEET 2 OF 3 KENNETH C. FOREMAN INVENTOR.

BY $9 q PATENTED MAY 2 21973 SHEET 3 BF 3 KENNETH croaaum INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to floatable logging devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art Floatable logging devices heretofore used have been quite makeshift and crude. As a result inefficient practices have been followed in logging with the use of such devices and workmen have been exposed to extreme danger when working on or around the devices.

In addition, the floatable logging devices heretofore used have been difficult to reposition along the shoreline, requiring the use of large tug boats for propulsion and control, and have required a considerable amount of time to disconnect from the shore at one point and to replace in operation at another site along the shore. When moving prior art floatable logging devices the stiff leg was cut thus wasting valuable timber and caus' ing delays until a new stiff leg could be assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a floatable logging device which is efficient in operation and presents little risk to workmen on or around the device.

It is an other object of this invention to provide a logging device which may handle a high number of logs per hour.

It is another object ofthis invention to provide a stiff leg for a floatable logging device which may be easily reused each time the device is moved along the shore outline or stored on the barge when moving to a new site.

Another object is to provide a technique for removing a grounded barge from the shore.

The floatable logging device of this invention preferably is in the form of a barge having an upstanding tower, provided with suitable rigging, such as a skyline, haulback, and a mainline, at least one bundling rack forward of the tower on the barge, and a loading machine on the barge, preferably movable along the length of the bundling rack for placing logs carried to the barge onto the loading rack. The stiff leg is pivotally mounted to the barge and is also slidably coupled so that it may be slid onto the barge for storage, or used to gil-poke the barge off the beach.

Waistlines secure the logging device to the shore. In the preferred form these Waistlines are passed around blocks at the bottom of the logging device to keep the lines below the water in the vicinity of the logging device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a floatable logging device embodying the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the logging device shown in an operating position against the shore.

FIG. 3 is a plan of the logging device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the technique for retracting the stiff leg.

FIG. 5 is a plan illustration the stiff leg in a storage position on the logging device. Y

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric illustrating the connection between the stiff leg and the logging device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the technique for removing a grounded barge from the shore.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The floatable logging device is preferably in the form of a barge 10 having a top surface 12 and a bottom 14. The barge may be formed of concrete or other suitable material having floatation compartments as is customary in this type of vessel. Mounted on the top surface of the barge is a tower 16 supported by sets of guy lines 18 running to each corner of the barge. The guy lines are secured to stanchions that extend down and are mounted directly on the bottom of the barge for strength. The guy lines are coupled to the loading tower by blocks 22 and are secured at their free ends to winches 24. As is well understood in this art the tower may be raised and lowered by control of the winches.

Running through the top of the tower is a sky line 25 firmly secured at its free end on shore, a main line 26 which is entrained around a block of a butt rigger 28 and is secured at its free end to a carriage 29. As is well known in this art the carriage is adapted to run on the sky line. A haul back line 30 is also run through the top of the tower and has its free end connected to the shore-facing end of the butt rigger 28. Although the above is preferred, other suitable well knownriggings may be employed. In the operation of the rigging illustrated logs L are fastened by chokers 32 to the butt rigger on shore. The main line is then drawn in and the haul back released to carry the logs to the loading area LA on the forward end of the barge.

Mounted on the top surface 12 of the barge in the loading area LA is an elongated track 34. The track is positioned adjacent a port bundling rack 35 and be tween the port bundling rack and a starboard bundling rack 36. The exact position of the track on the barge is not critical provided only that it be forward of the tower 16. Mounted on the track is a movable loading machine 38 of any suitable design, preferably employing a grapple-type loading arm 39. The loading machine is provided with a base 39 housing suitable drive mechanism for moving the base along the track and a horizontally pivotable carriage 40 for positioning the loading arm in a generally 360 arc. The loading arm is extendable to reach to the starboard bundling rack 36 as well as the port bundling rack 35. Logs delivered at the loading area LA are picked up by the grapple on the loading arm 39 and the loading machine then positions the logs on one of the two racks. On the bundling racks the logs are secured into bundles which may be later transferred to a transporting barge. It is important to note at this juncture that the bundling racks could be used with or as a substitute for the conventional rafting areas RA (FIG.2A) in which the logs are gathered as a floating mass and held by perimeter logs secured together. The advantage of the track-mounted loading machine is that it may easily handle the logs carried to the barge and may move back and forth between the racks while having adequate space for clearing the forward guy lines 18. It also enables mechanized handling of the logs to eliminate the dangerous prior art use of water-chasers, workmen whose jobs were to stand on the stiff leg and disconnect the choker cables from the logs as the logs were lowered into the water.

The barge is held against the shore by a pair of port waist lines 440 and 44b and starboard waist lines 46a and 46b. The free ends of the waist lines are secured to stumps or trees on the shore. The waist lines are then entrained about blocks 48 secured below the water line to the bottom of the barge and then passed upwardly about blocks 49 and thence to winches 50. Positioning the blocks 48 below the water line maintains the waist lines well below the water line when in use so that movement of log barges or rafting operations may take place adjacent the sides of the barge without fouling the waist lines. As will be pointed out herein below the waist lines also serve to reposition the barge from one site against the shore to another.

A stiff leg 54 is coupled to the forward end of the barge. Preferably the stiff leg is fabricated from steel but may be made of timbers or the like. As best shown in FIG. 6 the stiff leg is pivotally secured to the barge by a coupling 56. The coupling 56 is provided with ears 58 that are pivotally secured by a pin 61 to cars 60 rigidly secured to the barge. The pivotable connection allows the stiff leg to oscillate about the connection point on the shore due to tidal action of the water. The coupling 56 has a U-shaped end, the legs of which are provided with elongated guide members 64. The guide members are rotatably mounted on the legs of the coupling and are received in longitudinal recesses or guide ways 66 in the vertical sides of the stiff leg 54. In use the outer end of the stiff leg is positioned against the shore and the stiff leg locked to the coupling 56 by a pin 68. With the waist lines 44a, 44b, 46a and 46b secured onshore the barge is drawn tightly against the shore pushing the stiff leg into a firm anchoring position against the shore. The stiff leg thus supports the load imposed on the barge during the logging operation and holds the barge in a stable position. When the barge is to be moved or the stiff leg is otherwise desired to be stored, the pin 68 is removed and the skyline secured to the shore-end of the stiff leg and the mainline is secured to the barge end of the stiff leg. Then by drawing in on the skyline and mainline, the stiff leg is slid along the coupling 56 onto the top surface of the barge.

To extend the stiff leg the mainline 26 is entrained about a block 70 mounted on the forward end of the barge. Thus by pulling in on the mainline the stiff leg is pushed outwardly while its shore-end is supported by the haulback. Once the stiff leg is completely extended it is again locked in place by the pin 68.

An important feature of this invention is the technique of gil-poking the barge off the beach. During the logging operation, the loads on the barge will push the stiff leg against the beach. Sometimes the shore gives way with both the stiff leg and the barge being grounded on the beach. In such cases it is virtually impossible to pull the barge off the beach.

In this invention the stiff leg is uniquely employed to gil-poke the barge upwardly and outwardly from the beach. First, as described earlier, the stiff leg is pulled onto the barge by fastening the haulback to the beach-end of the stiff leg preferably by running the haulback through moving blocks shackled to eyes 80. The mainline is then fastened to the eye 55 on the stiff leg and the stiff leg is drawn onto the barge. As best shown in FIG. 7, the mainline is then restrung by passing it around moving blocks 75 secured to eyes 72 by shackles 73. The line is also passed aroundblocks 90 shackled to the eye 55. By pulling in on the mainline 26, the stiff leg is then pulled off the barge and the beach-end will fall down against the beach. Further hauling in on the mainline 26 will force the beach-end of the stiff leg down against the beach pulling the barge up and out away from the beach to free it. If it is necessary to work with the stiff leg at a sharp angle with respect to the barge, the haulback 30 may be secured to the eye prior to removing the stiff leg from the barge and the haulback 30 will then be drawn up through the suitable fittings on the side of the barge and run to the fairlead on top of the tower 16 and then down to the winch. In this manner the haulback may be used to pull the beach-end of the stiff leg back toward the barge so that subsequent pulling in on the mainline 26 will push the stiff leg downwardly at a sharper angle.

The method employed in repositioning the logging barge along the shore is varied somewhat depending on the direction of the tides relative to the direction in which the barge is to be moved. Preferably, the waistlines on the side facing the new site are moved up the beach one at a time. Next the mainline is fastened to the shore-end of the stiff leg to hold it up. Then the opposite waistlines are released while the first are tightened and the barge is pivoted toward the new site. The stiff leg is moved along the shore and then replaced at the new site. The opposite waistlines, those still attached at the old site, are then repositioned and the barge pivoted into the desired position. It has been found that the best way to move the stiff leg is to secure a block to a tree or stump on shore at the new site and then winch a line through the shore end of the stiff leg around the block to draw the stiff leg along the shore.

While the preferred form of the invention have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that various changes and modifications in the structure and methods employed would be available to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiment and method described but rather is to be limited only by a broad interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A logging device for use adjacent the shore comprising a floatable barge or the like having forward and rear ends, a tower upstanding on said barge, log bundling racks positioned on said barge forward of said tower, movable loading means secured to said barge forward of said tower for movement adjacent said bundling racks, a quick-disconnect stiff leg secured to the forward end of said barge and positionable against the shore when in use and onboard the barge when not in use, means for anchoring the barge against the shore, and means coupled to said tower for delivering the logs to the loading means on the barge.

2. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said anchoring means includes a pair of extendable waist lines on each side of said barge and including blocks secured at the bottom of the barge, and wherein said waist lines pass around said blocks for keeping the waist lines beneath the water in the vicinity of the barge.

3. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said barge is rectangular and wherein said tower is secured to said barge by guy lines, said guy lines being secured to stanchions, each stanchion being mounted adjacent a corner of the barge.

4. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said log bundling racks are on each side of the barge and said loading means includes a grapple loader movably mounted on a track secured to said barge between said bundling rackS.

5. The logging device of claim 4 wherein said anchoring means includes a pair of extendable waist lines on each side of said barge, said barge including blocks secured at the bottom of the barge, with the waist lines passing around said blocks, and wherein said tower is secured by guy lines, said guy lines being secured to stanchions mounted at the corners of the barge and connected to the bottom of the barge.

6. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said stiff leg comprises a rigid member for engagement with the onto said barge. 

1. A logging device for use adjacent the shore comprising a floatable barge or the like having forward and rear ends, a tower upstanding on said barge, log bundling racks positioned on said barge forward of said tower, movable loading means secured to said barge forward of said tower for movement adjacent said bundling racks, a quick-disconnect stiff leg secured to the forward end of said barge and positionable against the shore when in use and onboard the barge when not in use, means for anchoring the barge against the shore, and means coupled to said tower for delivering the logs to the loading means on the barge.
 2. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said anchoring means includes a pair of extendable waist lines on each side of said barge and including blocks secured at the bottom of the barge, and wherein said waist lines pass around said blocks for keeping the waist lines beneath the water in the vicinity of the barge.
 3. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said barge is rectangular and wherein said tower is secured to said barge by guy lines, said guy lines being secured to stanchions, each stanchion being mounted adjacent a corner of the barge.
 4. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said log bundling racks are on each side of the barge and said loading means includes a grapple loader movably mounted on a track secured to said barge between said bundling rackS.
 5. The logging device of claim 4 wherein said anchoring means includes a pair of extendable waist lines on each side of said barge, said barge including blocks secured at the bottom of the barge, with the waist lines passing around said blocks, and wherein said tower is secured by guy lines, said guy lines being secured to stanchions mounted at the corners of the barge and connected to the bottom of the barge.
 6. The logging device of claim 1 wherein said stiff leg comprises a rigid member for engagement with the shore, a coupling member pivotally secured to an end of the barge, and means on said coupling member for slidably holding said rigid member whereby said rigid member may be slidably retracted onto said barge.
 7. The logging device of claim 5 wherein said stiff leg comprises a rigid member for engagement with the shore, a coupling member pivotally secured to an end of the barge, and means on said coupling member whereby said rigid member may be slidably retracted onto said barge. 